A Reliable Come
Daina Beckman
This is in my opinion the most important command you will teach your dog. It could save his life.
Coming to you should be more fun than anything else in the world.
The first step is to find a new word or phrase for the come command. The reason for this is because you have used the word come to do some unpleasant thing to your dog from his point of view. Things such as grabbing his collar, dragging him to someplace he did not want to go, giving him a bath etc.
The word or phrase you use should contain a verb. If you use a single word such as Here, you should repeat it: Here, Here. This is because of human communication behavior. For example if you use the Home you will notice when you say it the tone is demanding or threatening. Now say Lets Go Home. You will notice you have a lilt to your voice.
The word you choose should not rhyme with the dogs name or any other command or negative words such as no or bad.
Some suggestions:
Lets get a biscuit
Lets get a treat
Hurry hurry
Lets Zippidy doo dah
Next come up with a treat that is like winning 10 million dollars to your dog. I recommend something like boiled liver. Try a few different things to see what he really loves. (check the poison food list to avoid problems… no pork) You will never give your dog this treat at any other time. He will only get this treat when you are practicing come or playing the come game. You will make sure you use only this treat when you are practicing come.
To begin simply walk up to your dog and while placing the treat in his mouth say the new come word. Repeat this 5 to 20 times until your dog is excited about it. Make sure when you say the word that it is a very happy tone of voice. Not a demand. It should be an invitation to the most wonderfully exciting thing in the world.
Practice in front of the mirror. Do you look and sound like you are giving him is winning lotto ticket? Think how excited you would be telling someone you just won 10 million dollars. That is what the command should sound like. Dogs love a party. You are trying to convey a lot of excitement, the best dog party in town is next to you. I can’t express enough how important is it to sound very happy and excited when you give the command for come.
Now try to call your dog from about 10 or 15 feet away. Be just as excited as you would if her were 100 feet away and you won the lotto. As soon as he starts to come toward you get very happy with lots of praise… Good Boy Hurry Hurry. Repeat the praise line until he is getting his treat and a very happy petting.
Keep increasing the distance. At some point your dog will be distracted by a smell or something else. Don’t give up on your dog or yourself. Believe he will come. Keep repeating the command until he starts to come, then begin the praise. Make sure your voice is not weakening, keep up that happy party sound even though he is not responding right away. If you give up and don’t have the confidence in both yourself and your dog to handle this command all the way through, you dog will not believe you. If he is really distracted try getting animated with your body. Clap your hand, tap on your legs, Jump up, run backwards a few steps, run 5 steps to the side or toward him, then run back the 5 steps. Use a squirrel call or some other fun sound along with the continued happy command.
The Come Game
Get the help of a friend or several friends. The more people playing the better. Be sure to instruct your helpers on how important it is to sound really happy and give lots of praise as soon as the dog starts to come.
Start where the dog can see everyone. Take turns giving the come command and praise when he responds. It won’t take very many repetitions before he figures out that this is a great game. When you see that your dog understands what is going on change the game. You will give the command, when he comes lots of praise. As soon as you are done praising the next person starts to call him, you now move to a different spot. When each persons turn is over they will move to a different spot or room. Be creative as your dog understands the game better. Hide behind doors, around corners etc.
If you have to play alone with your dog then suddenly call him when he is in another room. You can also place him in a down stay or a sit stay while you move to a new location for the game.
When you dog has the come game down pat in the house play outside. Be sure you are in an area where he can’t run away. If you do not have a fenced area then you can purchase a 25 foot lead and have one person handle the lead keeping up with the dog as he runs from person to person. Hide behind bushes and trees, move around. Make it harder and more interesting for your dog. You could also prop the door open, and have people moving around both iside and outside.
You should practice saying the command and handing your dog the treat daily once he understands what the new come word means. 2-3 times a day should be enough.
Practice the come came at least once a week.